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Common applications

Cialis is used to treat erectile dysfunction and other similar genitalia-related conditions. This medicine, when used with enough sexual stimulation, can provide enough blood flow to the penis to allow the patient to get a stable, solid erection which lasts for a sufficient amount of time.

The medicine should not be used by women and children, it's designed specifically for adult males. It is also not designed to protect against sexually transmitted diseases, and as such should not be used instead of proper protection.

Precautions

Some specific medicines are known to interact with Cialis. The most common ones of those are nitrates, which can produce severe negative side effects when used in combination with the drug. Nitrates are found in nitroglycerin, as well as recreational drugs known as "poppers". Using alpha blocker medicines with Cialis is also advised against, as the reactions can be severely harmful.

If you're already undergoing treatment for erectile dysfunction, you may need to monitor your dosage and health condition additionally. Other drugs which can warrant such measures are certain antifungal medicines such as itraconazole or ketoconazole; macrolide antibiotics such as clarithromycin or erythromycin; medicine for high blood pressure; or HIV protease inhibitors such as ritonavir or indinavir.

This medicine should only be used by a doctor's recommendation, and not by one's own free decision. Likewise, do not halt your treatment unless you inform your doctor beforehand. Before starting the treatment, tell your doctor of any past problems you've had with your health, especially related to your penis, heart, liver and kidneys.

Blood and bleeding problems should also be of interest to your doctor - leukemia, ulcers, make sure you note everything you've suffered from. High blood pressure can interfere with the medicine's actions severely, and it should be mentioned as well.

If you've suffered from angina, chest pains, heart attack, stroke, severely low blood pressure or liver problems, you must not use this medicine. Same goes if your doctor has advised you against practicing sexual activities, as this can be especially harmful to you.

Instructions

The medicine is designed for oral ingestion before you engage in sexual activity. You can take it anywhere from one to four hours before the act, but the closer it is, the better. The recommended maximum daily dosage is one pill and you should not exceed that under any circumstances. If you're using other similar medicines, you may need to decrease the dosage additionally, to avoid unwanted side effects.

The medicine can be taken with or without extra food, this is irrelevant to its effects.

Warnings

If you've experienced allergic reactions to any of the medicine's ingredients in the past, it's strongly inadvisable to use it. Some side effects the medicine can produce are dizziness, light-headedness, vision changes. You should not drive a vehicle or operate heavy machinery while under the effects of this medicine. Alcohol can extend the magnitude of some of the side effects, so drink responsibly while you're treating yourself with this drug.

The dosage prescribed by your doctor should be adhered very strictly - do not make any changes to it without consulting your doctor beforehand. The results from the treatment may vary according to your health status and if you're using other drugs.

Remember that practicing sexual activities can be quite strainful to your heart, and you should avoid it if a doctor has prescribed it as potentially harmful to you. If, during sex, you experience any negative side effects, stop the activity immediately and seek medical assistance if the effects do not calm down shortly. The symptoms to watch out for are dizziness, nausea, chest pain, lightheadedness.

Patients in their late years should take special care when using the medicine to avoid any injuries and harm to their health. Such patients are extremely sensitive to the drug's side effects, and thus should be careful to avoid them.

Side effects

Side effects associated with this medicine are headaches, flushing, nausea, heartburn, upset stomach, muscle pain, vision changes. You may experience inability to distinguish between some specific colors. If the side effects do not recede quickly, you may need special medical intervention - contact a medical center or your doctor for help.

If you experience priapism - that is, an erection which does not go down after more than four hours - you should seek the assistance of a doctor, as the condition may worsen if it is left untreated. Allergic reactions to the medicine have been rare, but to be on the safe side, keep an eye out for any unusual symptoms, including redness, swelling, rashes, and as soon as you notice any of those, stop using the medicine and seek medical help.

Overdose

If you're afraid you may have overdosed on the medicine, contact a doctor right away. The symptoms you may experience from an overdose are pains in the joints and muscles, most often around the back area.

Final notes

If you continue to experience problems with your erectile dysfunction, or if your condition becomes worse, consult your doctor to discuss alternate forms of treatment. The medicine must not be shared with individuals whom it has not been prescribed for - it can harm their health severely.

The medicine should not be used in an attempt to treat other conditions. Keep it out of reach for children and pets. Make sure it is not used by women and children. If the medicine has expired, throw it out and do not use it. Supply yourself well beforehand to avoid periods of shortage.

Drug interactions

You may notice unwanted side effects from using this medicine. Some specific medications may interact with the medicine. Consult your doctor if you experience any problems from this.